WHAT IS ELECTROPOLISHING?
Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that selectively removes material from metal surfaces, creating ultra-smooth, mirror-bright finishes. Unlike mechanical polishing which smears material, electropolishing actually removes it — starting with high points, burrs, and sharp edges first, leaving true surface smoothness at the atomic level.
At Atomic Machine, electropolishing is available as a standalone finishing service or fully integrated with our in-house CNC machining, laser marking, and passivation — one vendor, one quality system, one certificate package.
BENEFITS OF ELECTROPOLISHING
MIRROR-SMOOTH FINISH
Ra values of 2–5 microinches — reflectivity approaching mirror quality, impossible with mechanical methods alone.
MICRO-DEBURRING
Removes burrs from complex geometries, internal passages, and intersecting holes that hand tools can't reach.
ENHANCED CORROSION RESISTANCE
Removes embedded iron and builds a uniform chromium oxide layer for maximum protection.
IMPROVED CLEANABILITY
Ultra-smooth surfaces resist bacterial adhesion and clean more easily — critical for medical devices and food processing equipment.
MINIMAL DIMENSIONAL CHANGE
Material removal is measured in microns (typically .0001"–.0002"), so tight tolerances are maintained.
REACHES EVERYWHERE
Electrolyte flows into every surface it touches - internal passages, blind holes, complex geometries - with no line-of-sight limitations
STRESS-FREE SURFACE
No mechanical stress introduced, unlike grinding or media polishing — resists fatigue and cracking.
MATERIALS WE ELECTROPOLISH
We electropolish a broad range of metals and alloys to meet aerospace, medical and industrial applications. If your material isn't listed below, reach out. We regularly work with customers to qualify alloys outside our standard list.
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Aluminum alloys
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Carbon steel & tool steel
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Copper and brass
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Exotics & other metals
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Nickel alloys (Inconel, Hastelloy)
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Nitinol
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Stainless steel (300 series, 400 series, precipitation hardening)
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Titanium and titanium alloys
Size Range: Small precision parts through large assemblies.
Please contact us for specific size capabilities, and if you do not see your particular alloy listed above or have any other questions.
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
MEDICAL DEVICES
Surgical instruments, orthopedic implants, cardiovascular devices, dental tools. Biocompatible, corrosion-resistant surfaces that meet FDA cleanability expectations.
DEFENSE
Firearm components, military equipment parts, hydraulic and pneumatic assemblies. Corrosion-resistant, mirror-smooth surfaces built to withstand demanding operational conditions.
AEROSPACE
Fuel injectors, hydraulic manifolds, turbine components. Deburred internal passages for reliable flow and reduced friction under demanding flight conditions.
INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL
Cylinders, valves, manifolds, precision fittings. Extended service life and optimal fluid flow for automotive, oil & gas, and power generation equipment.
ELECTROPOLISHING & PASSIVATION: BETTER TOGETHER
Electropolishing and passivation solve different problems, and most demanding applications benefit from both.
Passivation is a chemical process that removes free iron and surface contaminants without changing the part's dimensions or surface texture.
Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that both removes surface material — burrs, tool marks, embedded iron — and passivates the surface in the same step, following the guidance of ASTM B912.
Best practice: Electropolish first, for smoothness and deburring, then passivate if additional corrosion protection is specified.
Atomic Machine offers both processes in-house, so your parts move between steps without ever leaving our facility.
How Electropolishing Compares to Other Finishing Methods
What it Does
Removes vs smears material
Reaches internal passages
Surface stress
Consistency
Electropolishing
Removes
Yes
Stress free
Highly repeatable
Mechanical Polishing
Smears
No (line-of-sight only)
Introduces stress
Operator-dependent
Chemical Etching
Removes
Limited
Risk of hydrogen embrittlement
Variable
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
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Standard: Performed and validated to ASTM B912
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Material Removal: 0.0005" to 0.002" typical (controlled per customer requirements)
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Surface Finish: Ra 2-5 microinches achievable
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Certifications: ISO 13485, AS9100D, ISO 9001
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Volume: Prototype through production quantities
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Documentation: Certificate of Conformance with process parameters and material traceability
INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING
Machine → Mark → Electropolish → Passivate
At Atomic Machine, we offer complete manufacturing solutions:
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CNC machine your components to specification
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Laser mark for permanent traceability
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Electropolish for mirror finish and deburring
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Passivate for maximum corrosion protection
Result: One vendor. One quality system. One certificate package. Faster delivery. Better quality control.
COMPLETE MANUFACTURING SERVICES
Combine electropolishing with our other in-house services.
